Video Editing Software Resources Blackfoot ID

Video editing software is a powerful tool that can turn a home video into a short film. Here you’ll find additional information on video editing software as well as local companies and providers that may help you in your search.

Converting Video Formats

Converting Video Formats

File formats and compression can be tricky. Here’s how to get started finding a workflow that works for you.

By Michael Guncheon

There’s an old saying that says, “The good thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from!” That’s appropriate when you work with video. There’s no single, universal standard that fits every situation. From the camcorder or compact camera that captures the video (the acquisition side), to the software programs used to edit the video, to the final “end product,” there are many variations.

On the acquisition side, camcorders can produce files that are high definition, standard definition, progressive, interlaced, 30 frames per second or 60 frames per second. To further complicate the situation, the files created use various flavors of video and audio compression, as well as different file formats.

Then there’s the editing program. Although some applications can edit in just about any format, usually there’s a “native” format in which the software likes to work. It may be necessary to convert the original footage to the application’s native format.

Does the editing program use QuickTime, MPEG or WMV movie format? Even that really isn’t the whole story. Just saying “QuickTime” doesn’t address the codec or compression method used for the video and audio. Given two “QuickTimes,” you might find (as I unhappily discovered on a recent project) that one plays back just fine on your computer and the other doesn’t. If your computer’s processing power is inadequate, try converting the files to a less compressed file format.

What’s the best way to convert files from your camcorder to your editing application? First, test what happens if you don’t convert them. Use your software’s import function and see if that works. If it doesn’t, try any other input function like “open.” (This also is a good time to make sure you have the latest updates to your edit software.)

Still no success? You might be able to use the camcorder software to do your file conversion, or there may be drivers or codecs that need to be installed.

As a last resort, there are third-party applications that can make the conversion. A popular program, HandBrake ( www.handbrake.fr ), can handle most any type of video file. It can work on Windows, Mac or Linux operating systems and is shareware.

Keep in mind that the conversion process can take up disc space—a lot of disc space. Camcorders use file formats designed to get a lot of recording time on the camcorder storage device. This isn’t what edit applications necessarily need. The converted file may be quite a bit larger than the camcorder’s.

Once you’ve imported your footage and edited your show, you’ll need to do another conversion—for output to a format for playback devices like DVDs or for a web browser. Many editors let you export right out of the application. Optionally, your software package ma...

Editing D-SLR Video

Software to help you make something special with your video clips

One of the most exciting recent advances in D-SLRs is the addition of HD video capture, allowing us to switch from multimegapixel stills to full-motion video on the fly.

Adobe Premiere Elements 7

Several SLRs now offer HD movie modes, including the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Nikon D90, Canon EOS Rebel T1i, Nikon D5000 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. We expect this will be an increasingly common feature.

Popular consumer-level video editing applications like Adobe Premiere Elements and Apple iMovie are perfect choices for importing, editing and outputting movies from the files these cameras create.

IMPORTING VIDEO The Canon EOS 5D Mark II captures video as a .MOV/MPEG-4, and the Nikon D90 records to the .AVI/MPEG-4 format.

These are standard video formats, and both Premiere Elements 7 and iMovie ‘09 support them.

iMovie—Apple iLife ’09

To import an HD video in iMovie ’09, click on the video camera icon and choose between two resolution options: 960x540 or full-res 1920x1080. Premiere Elements 7 also makes it easy to import HD video—it automatically detects the device from which you’re importing, so all you have to do is click “Get Media.” ARRANGING CONTENT Once you’ve imported your video files, you can start by arranging and organizing your different clips to get the editing process started.

With iMovie ’09, you simply drag and drop clips into the Project Library where you then can start to edit them and assemble your final video.

With Premiere Elements 7, use the Organizer tab to find and sort clips. Once you have them organized, switch to the Sceneline, where you can drag and drop clips into order.

This page provides relevant content and local businesses that can help with your search for information on HD Camcorders. You will find informative articles about HD Camcorders, including "High-Definition Video for Enthusiasts". Below you will also find local businesses that may provide the products or services you are looking for. Please scroll down to find the local resources in Blackfoot, ID that can help answer your questions about HD Camcorders.